Mardi Gras with Jumbo Circus Peanuts

Tuesday

Jan 29, 2013 at 3:15 AM

PORTSMOUTH -- Every year the Jumbo Circus Peanuts throw down a rocking good Mardi Gras Dance Party, (or two) the likes of which has never been seen north of Slim's Y-Ki-Ki on Main Street in Opelousas, Louisiana.Every year these progenitors of Seacoast Carnival-style revelry devote more of their funk, soul, and horn-driven rock and roll to charitable causes.

All of the impulses listed above come together this time around the moveable feasts. The Jumbo Circus Peanuts' own unique addition to the Carnival calendar, Samedi Gras, aka Fat Saturday, aka the Saturday before Mardi Gras, happens this year on Saturday February 9. The place; the JCP's beloved stomping grounds, the VFW International Ballroom, 238 Deer St. in Portsmouth. Doors open at 8pm, admission is $10.

Due to the kindness of an anonymous philanthropist associated with the Seacoast Family Food Pantry, all of the expenses involved in putting on this particular rocking good time at the VFW International Ballroom will be covered beforehand and every dollar in admissions taken at the door will go to the Food Pantry. The Seacoast Family Food Pantry is local non-profit striving to fulfill the needs of low-income individuals and families with food, personal care products and education for healthy living.

Per usual, expect any sense of obeisance or normality to expire with the filing of this press release from the Jumbo Circus Peanuts. On Fat Saturday expect a heavy dose of the sights, sounds and sensations representative of New Orleans at Carnival time. You'll hear songs originally done by Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, Professor Longhair, The Rebirth Brass Band, Jelly Roll Morton, The Meters, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and The Neville Brothers along with the JCP's everyday gumbo of funky rhythm and blues spiced with swing, mambo and Tijuana Brass.

The VFW International Ballroom contains a large wooden dance floor, a bar the length of the floor featuring value-priced cocktails along with top-notch service, free onsite parking, sparkling restrooms, and a timeless sense of old Portsmouth.

The Jumbo Circus Peanuts' Mardi Gras parties at the VFW have typically been those types of events where the line between the band and the crowd can become delightfully blurry. Toward that end, costumes are strongly encouraged.

Jumbo Circus annual Mardi Gras Dance Party. "Fat Saturday" February 9 at the Portsmouth VFW, doors open at 8pm, admission is $10. This year 100% of the money taken at the door will go directly to the Seacoast Family Food Pantry. Eh toi!